Ideas

The Official Coronavirus Numbers Are Wrong, and Everyone Knows It

Because the U.S. data on coronavirus infections are so deeply flawed, the quantification of the outbreak obscures more than it illuminates.

Digital Government

Indian Health Service CIO Gets Ready to Update One of Government’s Oldest Systems

As chief information officer of the Indian Health Service, Mitchell Thornbrugh will play a critical role as the agency updates from a system that first debuted in 1969.

Ideas

AI Algorithms Intended to Root Out Welfare Fraud Often End Up Punishing the Poor Instead

These systems must be designed in ways that are fair, transparent and accountable to prevent hurting society’s most vulnerable.

Ideas

Data Standards for Grants Management Are Now the Law

First, standards will be developed and then agencies will have a year to apply them.

Digital Government

FDA’s Data Strategy Modernization Starts With Public Outreach

The agency is overhauling the way it thinks about data and wants to start with feedback from employees and outside experts.

Modernization

FDA Launches App to Report Fresh Uses for Existing Drugs

Health care providers can now easily access a one-stop online repository that experts hope will accelerate and innovate patient treatment.

Digital Government

IG Says It Is Helping Return As Much As $5.9 Billion to the Government

The anticipated recoveries of misspent health program dollars would be the result of the HHS watchdog's work in fiscal 2019.

Digital Government

HHS’s Suspension of Acquisition Services Leaves Outside Agencies and Contractors in Limbo

It’s been three months since the department announced it was closing down its shared services operations, and many questions remain unanswered.

Emerging Tech

CDC Needs Better Tools To Track Sickness, Symptoms In Wake Of Nuclear Disasters

If a nuclear device detonated, the resource CDC wants would support state and local health departments’ ability to respond.

Emerging Tech

DISA, HHS Brainstorming Behavioral-Based Identity Pilot

The end goal would be a device that recognizes the user based on hundreds of behaviors.

Digital Government

Civic Tech Fellows Offer Their Ideas for Attracting Youth to Public Service

After just 10 weeks in government, the Coding It Forward fellows were able to succinctly identify the promise and challenges in getting young people to join the government.

Emerging Tech

FDA Seeks Virtual Heart to Test Medical Devices

The agency is looking for a computational model of a whole human heart for simulated device testing. 

Digital Government

CMS, USDS Pilot Unlocks Patient Data to Boost Provider Care

The project allows health care professionals to see claims information for past treatments instead of relying on patients’ memories.

Emerging Tech

How HHS Got Workforce Buy-In for Its Blockchain Pilot

The department turned to human-centric design for a proof of concept that automated logs for the Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation program.

Digital Government

Survey: Five in Six HHS Employees May Consider Leaving if Telework is Restricted

Department has stripped telework provisions from its union contract, and is expected to require employees to commute at least four days per week.

Cybersecurity

DISA Turns to Governmentwide Contract to Manage Security of Classified Network

The Pentagon will be awarding the DCMA Cybersecurity Center support contract through the National Institute of Health’s governmentwide contract instead of a full and open competition.

Cybersecurity

FDA Warns Certain Insulin Pumps Could Be Hacked

The Food and Drug Administration warned that some Medtronic insulin pumps could be manipulated by bad actors. 

Modernization

More Health IT Isn’t Always Better, Says HHS Digital Service Director

Shannon Sartin and her team are working to cut through convoluted tech and give patients easier access to their data.

Cybersecurity

Senators Want to Know If CMS Paid China-Linked Companies for Genetic Testing

Sens. Marco Rubio and Chuck Grassley want more information on how the agency is protecting Americans’ genomic data from foreign entities.